I have worked in college
admissions for 25 years. I have seen many changes over time, but I have
become alarmed at the pressures we adults are collectively placing on
young people to make us all happy because I see how this drive to be admitted
to college is affecting them so negatively. Wanting to become part of
the solution, I have begun to speak out publicly about the effects of
this pressure on kids. I am now involved in a growing movement to change
the way higher education handles admissions so that students are seen,
as I like to describe it, as human "beings" rather than human
"doings."

Dr Ken Ginsburg:

I have specialized
in adolescent medicine for 19 years at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
and at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. My patients
range from poor urban to upper-income suburban youth. I am very concerned
about how young people's behaviors affect their health. It seems that
every year I see more young people who are physically ill, anxious, and
depressed-some of whom are turning to dangerous quick fixes, such as drugs
and alcohol-as a result of constant pressure to prove they are good enough
to get into college. But I've become increasingly convinced that children
and teens can overcome a great deal of adversity and deal with significant
stress if their resilience is given the opportunity to flourish.

Both of us are critically
concerned about what's happening to young people and deeply committed
to redirecting them from the dangerous direction in which they're headed.
We share a mutual goal: to help parents support their children in becoming
successful at school and in life. Truly successful young people know how
to face challenges, manage stress, enjoy life, and reach their potential
while remaining healthy and well balanced. Success doesn't mean being
the best at everything or attending the "best" college. Success
isn't determined by a fat acceptance letter from their first-choice college.
Success in the college admissions process can be achieved by finding the
most appropriate college for each individual student-the best match-and
by using this opportunity to develop resilience, integrity, and confidence
for a lifetime.